When faced with a hydra the best thing a person should do is to cut off its heads and burn the stumps. Want to know what I did? I got one look at the beast and saw a lump that was towards the back of its body and got so filled with rage, I forgot to even draw my sword. I literally ran at it barehanded. I don’t suggest anyone doing this because facing a snake with your fists is never a good idea.

Luckily for me, I was very fast and good with my fists. I blocked, dodged and punched every head that was close by. I couldn’t tell if the cracking I heard was from its bones or my own. The pure rage from past experience just took over and I went ballistic. I was only snapped out of this rage when one of the smaller of the five heads bit my forearm. I snapped out of it and pulled a knife from my sleeve to stab it.

“Are you alright?” Edward says, who should be more worried about himself since the hydra was focusing him now. This hydra wasn’t poisonous, only the nine-headed ones are, so I should be fine.

I take a deep breath and tear my sleeve so I can wrap my left forearm. Once that’s done I draw my sword, not the dao since this hydra isn’t worth me passing out. This was a shorter sword, but it was razor sharp and could cut the Hydra’s hide.” I should be fine. You think you can sear the stumps when we cut the heads off?”

She’s visibly shaken and I grab her to snap her out of it.” Listen, I need you to do this. If not there will be more casualties like the one it already ate.” She nods and pulls her wand out.

“I’ll go right you go left?” Edward asks and I agree. He’s smart enough to know I favor my right side and would prefer to keep that side away from the monster. We start our assault on it at the same time to confuse it. Which was a bad idea. It rushed towards Claire and I could feel my rage come back.

I stabbed its body with the sword so hard it anchored it to the ground. I then proceeded to drag the snake back towards me. I didn’t know where this strength came from, but I didn’t want to ask now. Thankfully, Claire wasn’t helpless since she hit the biggest head with a freezing spell.

“I’ll focus its head, you two keep it confused.” Edward commands us, but I don’t really listen since I start to beat its heads in with my fists.

“Kyle stop!” Claire shouts and I realize it’s long since dead. My rage slowly leaves me and the pain I should have felt from before hits me. My hands are definitely broken and snake bite is bleeding heavily. I collapse on my knees and they both try their best to heal my wounds.

“Claire, focus, we need you to be focused. We don’t want you to break another wand.” Edward says. He’s doing his best, but he is an offensive mage and his healing skills aren’t that great.

“I know, I’m trying, but I can’t control-” She tries to say.

I lifted my one good arm up to touch her face. It’s all I could do to calm her down. She looked me deep in the eyes and I swear I felt better as soon as I made contact with her. Her magic funneled out much smoother and she was able to close my wounds. Edward worked on the fractures and the fatigue, but could only reduce the pain.

“It’s alright, I’ve lived through worse things.” I say trying to ignore the pain.” This thing was obviously sent for Claire, no other reason to why it would rush her like that.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Claire asks while supporting me.

“Yeah I am, but I’m more worried about this thing.” I say.

“This lump doesn’t look to be human sized, I believe it is livestock.” Edward says.

“I think you’re right, but that’s not what I’m worried about either.” I say and then move it’s middle head.” This symbol is what I’m worried about”

It was a three pronged crown with black instead of gold coloring. An almost exact replica of the King’s Shadow’s symbol, but one big difference, a crack down the middle of it. I noticed it when Claire called my name and can only assume it’s the symbol of the Mad King’s Shadow.

“We should head back to the school, Professor Angela can tend to your wounds better than either of us.” Edward says with worry in his voice.

“I agree, but I’m coming back with Thu’ane to investigate this thing.” I say.

“Thu’ane and Edward can take care of that, for now you should rest.” Claire pleads.

“I should-” I try to say, but stop, Claire’s expression makes me rethink my priorities.” Fine, I’ll get myself healed up and then I’ll join them.”

“Good, I was going to knock you out if you didn’t” Claire says.

“Really now? You were going to knock me out?” I ask

She nods,” I’m willing to do anything to keep you from getting hurt again.”

That warm feeling I get around her explodes in my chest and I can’t help but blush a bit. I’m grateful for someone who cares enough to say something like that. Edward does his thing and ruins the moment again.

“Sorry to interrupt, but the school’s coming up and I think it’d be weird if Kyle was being supported by Claire instead of me.” He says.

I sigh,” You always have to ruin the moment don’t you?’

He cocks his head and asks,” Do I really?”

I nod,” You and that headmaster have some excellent timing when it comes to these things.

He smiles and says,” it’s more interesting when you’re moments get interrupted than them just ending.”

I put my arm on his shoulders and whisper in his ear,” I will pay you back for all these moments you’ve killed.”

He gives me that golden smile and then we cross the barrier. Immediately I was rushed to Angela’s office and she put me through an intensive healing session. The one downside to healing magic was that you feel the pain of the wounds intensify as the close or repair themselves. I somehow managed not to cry out as I was healed and afterwards Claire came to visit. She stayed by my side for the rest of the night and her presence made it feel like there was no pain. Overall, I enjoyed our day together.